Early Retirement

[PAULCFC]

8 minutes ago, FoxesDeb said:

The early retirement age to access private pensions is increasing to 57 from 2028, and I wouldn't be surprised to see it go up again in future years.

 

 

That's why i got mine out at 55......wont suit everybody but paid all of my debts off!

[Sly]

I’ve debated this for years as I could make it work now.

 

I detest golf, fishing and gardening and my hobbies have always centred around contact sports largely. I can no longer drink, so that rules out getting slaughtered in a Weatherspoons at 10AM. 

 

If I’d do it, I’d most likely just walk the legs off the dog in Bradgate Park. 
 

I plan to go into my 50s, or when my wife decides she wants to, then review it from that point.

 

Truth is, I enjoy working! 

[Tommy G]

10 hours ago, FoxesDeb said:

The early retirement age to access private pensions is increasing to 57 from 2028, and I wouldn't be surprised to see it go up again in future years.

 

 

Yep so bridging the gap with savings and S&SI is likely option. I agree it will probably hike up a few years 

[joachim1965]

14 hours ago, boots60 said:

I am experiencing opposite emotions to most of the above posts.

For the vast majority of my working life I have hated going to work, have had a string of shit jobs & some of my gaffers have been total c***s. A few years ago, I couldn't wait to retire.

However, for the past 4 years, I have been in a job that I enjoy immensely, have decent people around me at work & my managers are decent human beings. I feel valued & no longer dread going to work every day like I used to.

I turn 66 in January & have the option to retire but have reached an agreement with my company to carry on working a 3 day week & could not be happier.  

That's a good compromise to be fair, winding down but not stopping, I know a fair few that have done that and are happy.

[masterg59]

Wordle 1,534 3/6

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[Mike Oxlong]

20 minutes ago, masterg59 said:

Wordle 1,534 3/6

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Early retirement can affect your cognitive abilities although three goes is pretty decent tbf 

Edited 31 August 2025 by Mike Oxlong

[HowardsBulletHeader]

I'm 31 and already thinking about it! 

 

My dad semi retired at 55, I'll be doing the same and reducing my days. If I have to work until 65, so be it.

 

If I have to live frugally to make it all last, so be it, I don't care. There's far more to life than work. 

[Crinklyfox]

On 30/08/2025 at 08:26, STEVIE B said:

My financial situation has changed this year, due to the passing of my Mother, bless her. 

 

I've been working for the same company for 27 years & have decided to retire....this day is September 11th, so not far off now. I'll be nearly 60.

 

I was wondering if anyone has been in a similar situation. I do find it a bit daunting. It's exciting too, but the thought of it overwhelms me at times. 

I retired at 60 after my GP told me that if I didn't retire my body would do it for me.

 

The key is to involve yourself in activities that give you some satisfaction and purpose in life.  There's little more dangerous than the comfy chair.  I became a Trustee in a charity supporting a cause close to my heart and used my skills to help them along the way, it gave me some satisfaction to see them improve their situation.  I also joined a bowls club, this enabled me to continue with a sporting activity that my ageing body could take and kept the old competitive juices flowing - it was also a good way of meeting new people - my club had a range of social activities as well as the sporting ones.

[Spudulike]

On 30/08/2025 at 10:49, Grebfromgrebland said:

I help people retire every week and I've not had anyone regret it yet. Just go for it.

 

On 30/08/2025 at 08:26, STEVIE B said:

My financial situation has changed this year, due to the passing of my Mother, bless her. 

 

I've been working for the same company for 27 years & have decided to retire....this day is September 11th, so not far off now. I'll be nearly 60.

 

I was wondering if anyone has been in a similar situation. I do find it a bit daunting. It's exciting too, but the thought of it overwhelms me at times. 

I fully retired on 30th Sept last year after working the previous couple of years part time.

 

Can't say that I've regretted it but still feel lost almost 1-year on. I havent found that thing to do yet to give me some passion and excitement and perhaps never will. It's not been helped by various illness I've been battling through. To be honest, I can trace my malaise back to the first lock down and a very nasty bout of covid. Never quite the same since and lost something.

 

Having time to think hasn't helped me and sometimes leaves me feeling overwhelmed and anxious about nothing. I'd rather just get on with something. I'll get there but its just taking me a bit of time. We are all different.

[Grebfromgrebland]

There's no harm in going back to some kind of work but on your own terms after your official retirement.

 

Or even doing some volunteering. My dad did a few charity shops and joined the Royal Voluntary Service.

[Vowels]

Aiming for 44; but will essentially then still be doing some project stuff to keep myself busy; just not relying on it for income.

[ajthefox]

1 hour ago, Spudulike said:

 

I fully retired on 30th Sept last year after working the previous couple of years part time.

 

Can't say that I've regretted it but still feel lost almost 1-year on. I havent found that thing to do yet to give me some passion and excitement and perhaps never will. It's not been helped by various illness I've been battling through. To be honest, I can trace my malaise back to the first lock down and a very nasty bout of covid. Never quite the same since and lost something.

 

Having time to think hasn't helped me and sometimes leaves me feeling overwhelmed and anxious about nothing. I'd rather just get on with something. I'll get there but its just taking me a bit of time. We are all different.

Took my Dad a couple of years to properly settle into his retirement. It's a big change, I think it's very understandable it would be weird for a while.

[ozleicester]

On 31/08/2025 at 00:39, boots60 said:

I am experiencing opposite emotions to most of the above posts.

For the vast majority of my working life I have hated going to work, have had a string of shit jobs & some of my gaffers have been total c***s. A few years ago, I couldn't wait to retire.

However, for the past 4 years, I have been in a job that I enjoy immensely, have decent people around me at work & my managers are decent human beings. I feel valued & no longer dread going to work every day like I used to.

I turn 66 in January & have the option to retire but have reached an agreement with my company to carry on working a 3 day week & could not be happier.  

I started work at 15... working at varying levels from "factory boy" to running a multi million dollar a year part of a multinational media organisation. With bosses varying from mean fvcker to outright evil cvnt.

At aged 58 I went to a 3 day week at a not for profit, huge financial cut but the best thing ive done... I love my current role so after planning for retirement as early as possible..now i just enjoy my job, Im lucky that im pretty much my own boss and set my times and days and spend hours driving and listening to books and podcats.

I fear that if i retire, ill be bored, the body lacks great health and so it will be too easy to become a couch veggie.

@STEVIE B I hope that your retirement is all you hope

[The Hitman]

I’m 35 now. Have a plan in place to retire at the very latest of 55 using my stocks and share isa as a bridge to 60, which is when I can cash my lifetime isa.
Also have my pension set at 60 but will evaluate when to take that later on. 

[Raj]

On 30/08/2025 at 10:49, Grebfromgrebland said:

I help people retire every week and I've not had anyone regret it yet. Just go for it.

As in your a financial advisor or your abit like these boys!!!

 

Edited 1 September 2025 by Raj

[Milo]

Some solid plans here. A lot of folks pretty well sorted for their old age.

 

I don't really have any plans to retire - I'll likely just take longer holidays between work stuff. And if I get bored with that I'll probably become a postman. Seems to be low pressure, sociable, gets you out of the house and finish early. Even where I live they all seem fairly cheerful. You get your steps in and will have a lifetime supply of rubber bands as a little bonus...   

 

[Grebfromgrebland]

51 minutes ago, Raj said:

As in your a financial advisor or your abit like these boys!!!

 

Lol I'm a financial adviser but cross me and I can be like one of the Krays... not really I'm soft as anything.

[Bob Weasel Fox]

Just hope you keep yourself busy those who are retiring etc 

 

good luck and remember what's good for one person doesn't always fit all but there is definitely life away from the grindstone etc etc - just keep your mind and body occupied and moving 🙏

[Trav Le Bleu]

This thread is so middle-class.

[Sly]

16 hours ago, Milo said:

Some solid plans here. A lot of folks pretty well sorted for their old age.

 

I don't really have any plans to retire - I'll likely just take longer holidays between work stuff. And if I get bored with that I'll probably become a postman. Seems to be low pressure, sociable, gets you out of the house and finish early. Even where I live they all seem fairly cheerful. You get your steps in and will have a lifetime supply of rubber bands as a little bonus...   

 

Joking aside! I’d actually debated this for myself as I can at least walk around a bit 😂 

[st albans fox]

5 hours ago, Trav Le Bleu said:

This thread is so middle-class.

ain’t it just!

but in most cases it’s about priorities 

choosing what to do with a few spare quid each week in your twenties seems very meh but it eventually makes a difference 

going on the cheaper holiday 

having a cheaper car 

not going out to eat or getting a takeaway once a week 

 

suspect a chunk of the people that are discussing early retirement are those that made those choices earlier in life.  Of course others may have inherited to allow them to make the call.   It’s not an a+b=c equation 

 

 

 

[Samilktray]

I'd have retired at 17 if I could have, not the biggest fan of going to work tbqh

[kenny]

20 hours ago, Milo said:

Some solid plans here. A lot of folks pretty well sorted for their old age.

 

I don't really have any plans to retire - I'll likely just take longer holidays between work stuff. And if I get bored with that I'll probably become a postman. Seems to be low pressure, sociable, gets you out of the house and finish early. Even where I live they all seem fairly cheerful. You get your steps in and will have a lifetime supply of rubber bands as a little bonus...   

 

Im 43 and retirement doesn't interest me.

 

Im saving well for my retirement so that I am set-up for life, but a yearning to stop doing what I am very good at hasn't yet set in.

[grobyfox1990]

Getting the proportion of incremental income/essential spending as close to 1 as young as possible is key. Or waiting to bury a rich relative who will throw you a few quid.